Adopting new habits and routines in response to COVID-19 lockdown disruptions: A qualitative study.
Dorothy Kessler, Emma Boudreau, Jennifer Maitland and 7 others
PMID 38832353WHAT IT FOUND
Participants described losing meaningful activities and feeling disconnected during lockdowns.
They adapted by creating new routines, roles and habits, such as virtual volunteering, home workouts and family time. These changes helped restore structure and connection, though they did not fully replace lost in-person interactions.
Key findings
01Disruptions to habits and routines led to a sense of loss, disconnection from others and challenges with time management, which negatively impacted well-being.
02Participants adapted by adopting new habits and routines, including new domestic roles, virtual volunteering and home-based physical activity, which provided structure and flexibility.
03Virtual connections and online groups helped some participants maintain social support and engage in wellness activities, although many noted these lacked the full meaning of in-person interactions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The sample was small (18 participants) and lacked diversity, with 17 women and mostly White participants from a single region in Canada. Most participants had higher incomes, which may not reflect the experiences of those with fewer resources. Member checking was not conducted, which may limit the trustworthiness of the findings. The study explores experiences during a specific period of lockdowns in 2021, which may not generalize to other contexts or populations.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The research was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that virtual or home-based adaptations fully replace the value of in-person interactions for all patients. Participants noted that while online options helped, they often lacked the same meaning and joy as face-to-face activities.